Let me admit from the beginning that I am a dedicated and enthusiastic fan of Louise Penny, Three Pines, all its quirky residents and Armand Gamache. I have the people and the place very clear in my mind. I was hesitant to confuse my vision with a  film version. Thankfully, the film was faithful to the story and the actors evoked the same character feel. The sense of community, the acceptance and affection the villagers have for each other was not diminished.

The story begins with a resident, Ben Hadley, finding Jane’s body lying in the woods near a deer path. It is hunting season.
The Surete of Quebec sends Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team to the small village of Three Pines to investigate the suspicious death of Jean Neal, a retired 70 something school teacher and amateur folk artist.She had just had her first acceptance of her painting, Fair Day, The entire village was looking forward to the celebration in her home and the long awaited chance to see her living room, previously a very private space. As Gamache learns, much of the villagers are artists of one sort or the other. All harbor secrets.

Gamache and his team determine that the death was not a hunting accident but a deliberate act. After a number of interviews with villagers, Gamache wants to search Jane’s house.Jane’s thoroughly unlikable niece refuses entry, claiming it is now her house and gets a court order to back that up. Gamache tasks Yvette Nichol, the newest member of his team, with a second search. She reports back there is no second will. It is not until much later Gamache learns that she failed to verify her source and a second will is found, leaving almost everything to Clara Morrow, Jane’s best friend and fellow artist. Many twists and turns and red herrings have occurred. But Gamache and his team and most of the village enter Jane’s house. It seems Yolanda, the niece, has hastily papered over the living room walls. All are stunned to see once the paper has been removed that the walls are a series of folk art murals Jane had painted depicting their village life. Clara, with her artist eye notices a number of differences between the murals and the painting that was accepted for show. That provides the necessary clues which enable Gamache and his team to solve this murder and uncover a second.

As with the book, this is a clever, intricately plotted mystery that moves along at a leisurely pace. The viewer has time to absorb the scenery, to become familiar with and enjoy the villagers, to appreciate Gamache’s investigatory style, his innate courtesy to his team, even when admonishing, and his willingness to assure them of his regard. The ninety minutes you spend watching this film are a delight. Thank you , Hoopla.

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